Parents will be fined £70 if they park near a primary school after residents complained that mothers and fathers dropping off their little ones even blocked an ambulance on call.

Teachers at Millfield Lead Academy in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, say there has been a catalogue of problems with parking outside the school gates and on surrounding residential roads, including vehicles parked at junctions, blocked driveways and paramedics being impeded.

Now, an experimental school clear zone is to be set up to encourage parents and children to cycle or walk.

Teachers at Millfield Lead Academy in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, say there has been a catalogue of problems with parking outside the school gates (pictured above)

The trial will take place from Monday, April 9, and last six months.

The school clear zone involves 'no waiting' restrictions being put in place between 8am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm on streets around the school.

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Millfield head Pete Wood said: 'The school receives regular calls from residents, parents and carers raising concerns about the parking of vehicles on the roads surrounding the school.

'We have regularly requested that vehicles are parked safely, but the situation seems to have deteriorated, so we support any actions which improve things.'

Councillor Blake Pain, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: 'Through a grant from the Access Fund, traffic management measures can be put in place to improve a serious problem with congestion around Millfield Academy.

'We also think that introducing the school clear zone presents an opportunity for children and their parents to consider other modes of travel to and from school, such as cycling and walking.'

Millfield Academy has already been recognised with a bronze medal by the national Modeshift Stars schools award scheme for demonstrating excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel.

During the trial, 'park and stride' facilities will be available for parents to park a short distance away from the school and walk in with their child.

Cycle training and walking initiatives will also be promoted during the clear zone trial for children to get involved in.

Parents and residents will be given a chance to provide feedback once the school clear zone consultation period starts.